As much as I love fairytale retellings, I’m equally wary of venturing into them. I shouldn’t have worried about Ashley Poston’s Geekerella because it is every bit as delightful as I wanted it to be. Squinks, you’re in for a treat!

1. It was the cover that caught my eye. I love purple, in general, but there was something simultaneously sci-fi-y and fairytale-y about Geekerella’s cover that drew my eyes to it. There are also stars, and it almost felt like there would be fairy dust inside the book. Upon closer inspection, it was the girl in the glasses that sealed it for me. I just knew I had to read this.

2. I really like that Poston does not stray very far from the Cinderella story. I mean, that’s what a retelling is, right? She’s given it a modern twist and added the spunk to CinderELLEa/DaniELLE that I’ve always felt the original character had bubbling deep inside her. Elle handles her stepfamily really well, and it is with these characters that I think Poston shines. The stepsisters are truly UGH. Very well written.

3. I like stories that make use of different formats, so I am very fond of the texting scenes. I did find them a little … bland (sometimes), but then again, I’m OLD and have no idea what texts between teenagers are like today. Elle’s and Darien’s characters are developed very well through these exchanges.

4. I totally thought that Starfield was real. Shows what I know. But for anyone who’s ever geeked out over Doctor Who or Harry Potter (or any of the tons of fandoms out there), you’ll find a little bit of yourself in Elle. She’ll win you over, for sure.

5. There’s a part near the very beginning that has gotten some criticism. If that bit bothers you, I do very highly suggest that you do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We all hold different things dear. There is so much to love about this book, and I hope you don’t measure the whole of the book by that one small part.

6. Sage. She rocks. Everyone should have a Sage.

7. In other news, check out the book trailer for Geekerellahere. (Can’t you just see this novel being made into a movie?) Then go out and buy the book.